Legends, Statues, And Let’s All Laugh At Nasri
Dec 8th, 2011 by 'holic
The problem with a busy Friday is the necessity to preview the upcoming game on a Thursday evening. That is before there is any real team news although of course we already know that one change will be necessary as our last fit full-back went in the fetlock on Tuesday.
The options for replacing the unfortunate Andre Santos revolve around moving a central defender in there. Simplest solution would be to promote Ignasi Miquel into the role he performed against Manchester City (tee-hee) in the Carling Cup. There is also the potential for a “Blimey Arsene, what the hell are you doing?” pairing of Per Mertesacker with either Seb Squillaci or Johan Djourou in the centre whilst moving Thomas Vermaelen to left-back. Please Lord let it be Ignasi!
Everton often set out to frustrate on their visits. They will presumably be keen to show there is life after Mikel Arteta, who faces his old team mates for the first time since joining Arsenal. Usually the biggest threat they bring is the aerial one of midfielders Cahill and Fellaini. Another reason for me to keep the improved central defensive axis unchanged.
Before the match the club will celebrate 125 years of existence with a parade of Arsenal legends. Let’s hope the celebrations extend to the match itself. The ‘holic pound has taken a shine to a 3-0 scoreline. Shop around and you will get from tens to 13/1 on that outcome.
If you are going, and you are currently getting battered by the gales in Ireland and the North, I hope things settle down before you have to travel.
Unveiling The Statues
Well, the club’s best efforts to keep the identity of the three statues to be unveiled on Friday a secret were thwarted by the spirit of Scrooge. I am delighted to say I have been invited to attend, along with a host of other bloggers, so keep an eye on my Twitter account for early snaps of the newest additions to the stadium.
Everybody has an opinion on who might and might not have been included in the trio. I am surprised at another tribute, however worthy, to Herbert Chapman, subject of the iconic bust still situated at Highbury, and a copy of which is in place at the Grove. Having said that I have no doubt that ‘holicdad, were he still with us, would have wholeheartedly endorsed the choice.
Alex James or Dennis Bergkamp would have got my vote for that one, but the fact that so many great names have been proposed shows the degree of difficulty faced by those making the decisions.
So Paddy Got Up – The Launch
When the venerable Arseblogger invited me to last night’s launch, I had no idea that word would be so apt. Enough liquid sloshed around that place yesterday to float a pretty large vessel. When over 500 people said on Facebook that they would be coming we all thought, “if half of them turn up, we’ll be happy”. In fact nearly all of them did seem to arrive, and at one stage the queues stretched the length of the pub and outside the front door.
Personally I cannot begin to tell you what an experience it was to meet so many absolutely “super quality” (sorry Arsene) Gooners. I have to say the professional contributors to the book are every bit as devoted to the Gunners as the rest of us, and when you get the opportunity to read their contributions you will see what I mean.
It was totally humbling to hear appreciation of the site from people I haven’t met before, although one or two I have enjoyed watching or listening to. I was like a rabbit caught in the headlights a couple of times. I didn’t think I had much of an ego, but come midnight I had difficulty getting my swollen bonce through the hotel bedroom door. Coming down from that high today has been difficult.
It wasn’t just new friends I made last night. Lots of familiar faces obviously turned up too. The ‘holics took up station to distract the management as I sipped at a couple of Guinni. I think I owe TaBS at least two, and TS and good man Snowy as well. My neighbour came armed with a bottle of Christmas from the old country, which accompanied my first skim read of the book until about two this morning. Gareth, Tayo, and Andy Paul, thank you.
Anyway, it was a tremendous evening. Thanks Martin & Louise, Blogs and Mrs Blogs (plus the ‘smasher), Ms K, West Stand Tone & Mrs WST for doing all of the hard work while the rest of us milked more than our fair share of the reflective glory. Thanks Hayley for some really tasty brownies. Thanks also to the Manchester clubs, without whom last night would not have ended with a few hundred Gooners singing their lungs out about Stoke, and Thursdays, and Channel Five.
It was an absolute blast.
Cheers ‘holics.
452 Responses to “Legends, Statues, And Let’s All Laugh At Nasri”
Get in
We can laugh some more…
http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/features/2011-12-08/talksport-spoof-nasri-i-had-leave-arsenal-play-europa-league
Well in Bearded.
I got stuck in the last drinks maing up the Ol Beetroots new year to do list.
Now to check the word to the wise.
I for one would prefer to see young Miquel alongside TV, Per, and Kos as you point out holic, but expect JD to slot in at rb and TV to move out to the flank. Either way that is a HUGE back line to deal with threats from the air.
NBN (from previous drinks)
Thank you, thank you. *crying with laughter*.
The best football video I have ever seen.
Thanks H2H and nice link golds73. The debacle in Manchester just never get old I am still chuckling today.
Me too H2H , great minds … π
Well in Bearded .
Great post Holic , I would definitely go with Miquel at LB . I think the rest of the side picks itself . I think Tues night showed that calls for Song to be rested ahead of the City (hee hee ) game were premature .
Loved your thoughts on last night , and if your bonce couldn’t be a little bit swollen after last night , when can it be ? Many congrats on a great evening .
Gutted to have missed last night.
My stupid company never sets up meetings to co-incide with a book launch at the Tollie, why is that?
Will just have to make up for it, come Saturday.
It seems a no-brainer to me – minimise the number of changes we need to make. Young Miquel has done enough to convince me that he will not be any more of a risk than bringing JD back into the back four.
One final point, Holic. The Hurricane wind here is subsiding. Only the snow to contend with now. Serves me right for living half way up a hill I s’pose π
Thanks BG
Nice one golds73,
Talkshite’s satire is better than their “serious” journalism.
It has to be Iggy indeed, it would be utter madness to move TV there.
The rest of the team basically picks itself, RvP to continue his scintilating form and I think Theo is due a goal too.
===
‘holic, very humble of you sir, but I’m surprised you’re surprised how well respected and highly thought of your blogs are. You always deliver, without fail, articulate, well written, balanced articles, win, lose or draw and your trips down memory lane are a feast for all gooners young and old, native or from foriegn shores. Long may it continue.
Had to go back to the previous drinks to see the video from NBN everyone was talking about. That and tabs picture @516 had me getting funny looks at work from laughing inconsiderately loud at work.
The akward moment when Nasri gets a winners medal, and you guys end up with nothing
Laugh at Nasei?
I think he will be laughing last at the end of the season when City win the prem and probably a couple of cups.
Calling Carlos.
HT Security to 14 please.
First!
Send a spell check on ” Nasei” while you’re at it.
Very awkward not being able to spell awkward I would think .
Now please away with you , before I get the Zapper out . Come back when you’ve won 27 trophies .
Fans from a small club in Manchester alert!
Twas a fine night indeed. I hit the whiskeys pretty hard. Didn’t get my head down till after 3.30am.
Ofcourse they’re going to be online, they’re getting used to checking the latest footy news on Thursday nights.
Way to think ahead lads.
I fully agree Holic. Best to keep TV5 in the centre. Miquel showed in 2 games that he can contribute both defensively and offensively at LB. I would keep Djourou on the bench myself.
As H2H says, the rest of the team picks itself.
My double dose of the Celtic Gloom Gene makes me reticent about your 3-0 prediction but I do so hope you are correct. Here’s to a famous victory to complement the anniversary celebrations.
I do hope the team save the bubbly until afterwards.
A drink for Mr Stillman on me.
And a round for the regulars too, ofcourse.
I think Nasri will find is actually quite hard to laugh when you don’t have a chin.
Mwahahahaha.
Pint of Guinness please, ‘holic.
H2H bigging up Little Dutch?
Some nepotism going on in here Holic? π
Mr Stillman, I salute you.
3:30 on a school night is exactly what the Doctor ordered.
* it is
Dutch is promoted. No longer my apprentice, although had to put him in his place one last time as he sipped at a little whisky, and I unveiled the bottle π
Well in landlord. Good to see you last night, out with the man Silva tomorrow but lookin forward to Saturday beers!
Up the Arsenal!
Fuck you nasei! π
Actually, just finished reading Tim’s piece in the book. The boy has a talent that makes me his literary apprentice.
You only qualified to the next chimps league round you drooling brain dead chimps, stop going about past glory, frankly its fekking boring! what are you going to win this season then? be honest with yourselves before you start spewing more arsesh*t? this is about as good as it get for you…Wow last 16, make it it last 8 then what, deep down you know you will never reach the final again in the next 10 years nevermind win it! You absoultely right about history, you are catching up with manure producing prawn sandwich glory hunter fans base, At least our fans are home grown π
Zico, he’s Little Dutch and being over 20 years over here I’m Almost Dutch.
Surely that deserves a drinky and a “big up” π
Was almost certain, ‘holic, you would have announced the odds on Arteta scoring against his old club. Don’t you feel the gestalt of it in your bones?
31 arseismyfeederclub
Shouldn’t your name be bottomfeeder?
Go away son, come back when you’ve grown half a brain.
@31
Crawl back to your cess pit you crackhead knuckle dragger. Go mate with your sister in your traditional style.
Somebody just discovered the internet.
Looks like some knuckle-draggers popping up on here are still a bit touchy. Most amusing.
‘holic @28 really?
(and did you manage to stay sober last night? ;))
Wow. Bows down to the Dutch Master.
Tabs – I don’t think you can say that Tuesday means we shouldn’t rest Song.
The fact that FrimCoq had a bad game doesn’t mean that they can’t replace Song for Everton with the likes of Arteta and Ramsey around them.
One change is always easier to make than 10.
It’s got to the point here, where I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at 31.
For all I know it could still be a regular trying a new personality.
heh
Played ‘holic – grand night last night –
I too have a sneaky f. our lad Artetetetaaaaa! might nick one v his old lot
UREDS!
True Snir , but I wouldn’t rest Song for fear of a booking , and nor I think will Arsene .
Ollie.
Most of the alter-ego’s here have a basic grasp of puncuation and the english language. My guess he’s a North Western mummy’s attic dweller.
Credit where credits due though, it took the fans from the other Manchester team the good part of a decade to turn into obnoxious little toe-rags, wheras these guys have achieved that status in just over a year.
Have to agree with Snir. I think Coq would do a job in the Song role when surrounded by the rest of the first XI. Also it is potentially detrimental to the team send Song out and tell him he has to avoid a yellow and change his usual biting defense.
At least most United dickheads had the good sense to move out of Manchester…
Song has to play.
The Everton game is more important then the City game, simply because it’s a home game which we will want to take three points from. Anything we pick up (except scurvy) at Middleeastlands will be a bonus.
So that’s Ade been better – and not bonkas – we might have kept him, Kolo Druggo, Sulky Lesbo and Gael ‘force him to leave ‘cos it turns out he’s not all that’ Clichy we’ve managed to dump on Shiteh for what 70 – 80 million quid. C-call the cops ‘cos someone’s getting right royally ripped orf here – so they are.
08 Dec 2011 at 10:35 pm43Holloway2Holland
If you’re so hot on basic punctuation why didn’t you proof read yours before you sent the message? π
Hmmm ‘holic you were trying so hard to look humble as you signed your umpteenth copy π
Magical evening
‘Holic: no need for a swollen head. This bar you run is the Rick’s Cafe of the blogosphere.
I’m with those who would play Miquel at LB and leave the PerVer undisturbed in the middle.
Golds73@2: π
CG@5 and others previous: cheers! For any who missed it: http://network.yardbarker.com/soccer/article_external/norwegians_combine_electric_shocks_and_soccer/8565211
URL says it all. Ah, those crayzee fun-loving Norweigans…
Zico@10: how can you tell the two apart?
Is there a full moon tonight?
awww bless, the fans of our feeder club are gettin cocky, sorry lads but every single player who left your “goin nowhere” football club to join gods own football club have not regretted a single moment of their time at city and they will all ,ade apart, have lots and lots of winners medals to polish!
used to rate gooners but your bitterness is pathetic!
Well there is a surprise. The only respondent using text speak on here had a Manchester ip address.
Thanks Geoff. I’m sure all of the amateurs were a little self-conscious about that last night.
I have to say the real writers were absolutely fantastic last night. PA, JC, and AL are just so natural in company. Part of the training I suppose. Enjoyed meeting PA and JC again, but first time I have met Amy. I was tongue-tied like I was twelve all over again.
Pretty sure WilshereSport is a Man City fan based on the backhanded insults that abound in his post. The bar is full of upset City fans visiting and Arsenal blog tonight. Can’t imagine why.
@ 53
And the tongue tied had nothing to do with the malt? π
Have to say ‘Holic my good man, laugh I did at Nasri and hard I did laugh π
Almost as hard as I laughed at the Tiger Division of the Prawn Sandwich Brigade @ 31, although not as hard as I laughed at bathgooner’s superquality response @ 35 π
The Mugs @ 13/14 argument is about the same as arguing that you’re thankful that someone’s pinched the lone tenner out of your wallet as it is so much lighter relieving the pressure on your behind… π
I’d rather have a Carling Cup Winner’s Medal than the Europa League medal tbh, at least the former is full on domestic and it is known for what it is.
Also, Winning the Europa League means either you weren’t good enough to go the distance in the better Competition (ie Red Mancs Blue Mancs) or you weren’t good enough to get into the better competiton in the first place (T*ttenh*m) LOL.
Nailed him in one Bearded. Not too difficult, was it?
I find it very funny that City fans are so cocky they think they won the EPL already, have the best team in Europe and is the top club in Europe simply because they have a strong squad.
Should I remind you, that you haven’t won the EPL and you are not in the UCL?
‘holic I jest, you looked to the manner born. I was really looking forward to meeting Amy & John & PA but was so enjoying chatting with my new friends from the bar I totally forgot!
Funny how Mancs like to call us their feeder club. Did they enjoy paying 25m for an extra player (Nasri) to put on the bench? Do they mean Vieira and Toure (two players who went to Man City to retire)? And whatever happened to Adebayor?
*Pauses to slowly applaud how much Nasri improved Man City’s team in the Champions League.*
*basks*
Evening All,
Firstly to ‘Holic. Cheers for the mention. For me, it was a total privilege being there last night amongst so many good people. Making new friends and meeting old ones. A top night aided and abetted by The Manchester Debacle.
And so to the Abu Dhabi Vulgarian interlopers at 13, 14 and 31. First of all, hope you will enjoy the link below to one of your top boys:
https://twitter.com/#!/ArsenalGent/media/slideshow?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FJasonKShrader%2Fstatus%2F144613708893663233%2Fphoto%2F1
You may be able to buy a Championship or two and a couple of domestic cups BUT you can’t buy class and you’ll ALWAYS be the small club in Manchester. In fact you and the LWCs are a good match for eachother, both living in large shadows and now playing eachother in the Your Ropey League. I so look forward to Thursday nights and Channel 5.
BTW, you’ve got the feeder club thing totally arse about face. We think of you as our friendly Bank of Arabia trading our cast-offs for vastly over-inflated sums of money.
Oh, and despite giving you a whole lower tier when you lot came to The HoF the other week for the Beer Cup you support was utter sh*te. You managed one stupid backwards bounce when your team of vastly over-priced under-achievers finally managed to beat a bunch of school kids. Until that point, we had to do all the singing for you. Then again, half of them were probably a bunch of glory seeking Tarquins from The Bus Stop @ Fulham. You should have a good look at what’s going on in Chelsea right now cos that’ll be you lot in 5 years. So enjoy it while it lasts and jog on.
Right, have I insulted enough people yet?
I’m so gullible, ‘holic please delete my #53, I blame it on a hard day in the office
Heh! The Neighbour @ #62 π
Is that you Jackster?
No problem Geoff. I would have agreed too, if anybody here had said what he claimed.
Might not be a good night to use drink numbers people. I may have more Johnstones Paints Europa Leaguers to delete in the morning…
minge @ #52
You’re damn right we’re going nowhere. Financial stability and a self-sustaining business model will do that for a club.
Looking forward to 18th. Will you be making the journey over from Stockport?
Holics
There’s a truly wonderful picture on the ‘ Mail ‘ online,
Of Mad Jens,with Franz Beckenbauer,and one of the best goalkeepers of my lifetime,in the venerable Bert Trautmann.
They met on the pitch before the City/Munich game.
Mad Jens then goes on to give City an absolute gobful.
Priceless.!!
THFNAJ
TS, Hang on
THFKAJ
So right about numbers – my question at 55 was actually aimed at the man who posted in 53, not 54.
Heh zico.
No shortstuff until I was back at the hotel, so no.
Tongue tied was entirely down to meeting three or four people who give so much pleasure to so many being really nice about the blog.
I remember when this was all fields
The Holic Formerly Known As Jackster?
Or
?????
Hahahahaha Neighbour.
Priceless π
And look at Arsenal now aye without Nasri and Fabregas?, the two best players you had, Chelsea and Spurs are going to put you right where you mouthy little twits should be, outside the top four.
Damn you Arsenal fans deserve to be relegated just so you learn a few well deserved lessons.
Your a disgrace to English football, all you ever do is boo your players, bad mouth them after years of hard service and and whine when you win absolutely naf all.
You’re an utter joke of a fanbase going nowhere just like Everton FC.
Making use of a free thursday Cityblue?
Clive , lets start the “Bring back the Mad German !” Campaign now ! As you said , priceless .
TS – nice post , couldn’t be arsed with the Trolls . Really wrestled for over an hour to try and work out what type of life-form they are .
Are the Kentucky fried Drumsticks do you think ?
Tried to test this theory out and dashed out to pour a gallon of lager down my neck , on the basis that Kentucky Fried Chicken is much better value after 8 pints of lager .
Nope , just read their stuff again . Still finding it bereft of any intelligence , wit or entertainment .
Perhaps they are Dixys drumsticks ? No amount of lager will make that stuff more palatable .
the=they
Thanks ‘holic!
@ CiTyBlUe
Awwww….. were you touching your special place when you typed that?
Talking of lessons, shouldn’t you be in bed now so you’re fresh for yours in the morning?
@City Buy You: I remember the same rant in these pages almost word for word when your sheikh bought Adebayor with the money he stole from his people. The same way we never heard about your mate afterward we won’t see you again once you’ve learned more about Nasri’s attitude.
Gentlemen, play nicely with the nouveau entertainment, or I will have to remove their stuff. Nicely now…
Seriously though Citeh fans, you must be seriously pissed at wasting nearly eighty quid on your first passport. Schoolboy error…
Nasri has signed a new contract to ensure he gets Champions League football.
He is now committed to Sky Sports for twelve months.
Holic @ #83 – Duly noted! It’s often fun though engagng with an unarmed person in a battle of wits.
tabs @ #78 – Excellent. Hmmmm.. KFC vs DFC. Tough choice π
The Neighbour (FKAJ) @ #77 – Also excellent.
Geoff – Good to see you being a regular poster.
Fish in a barrel holic
Barrel of oil that is.
Shaft places a square, brown package in an unused post box on a deserted street in Athens. He is walking away when his cellphone starts ringing.
Shaft: El Jefe, how goes the mission?
El Jefe: Aw man, Blatter went underground, literally. Apparently he has an underground lair that goes below most of Switzerland, ese. He also has an army of sloths guarding him.
Shaft: Hmmm, weβre not prepared for this. Does he suspect Platini?
El Jefe: I donβt think so. He hasnβt had a chance to meet him yet. In any case, Platini has been at the races in Monaco for days now.
Shaft: Where are you now?
El Jefe: Well, I didnβt have anything to do in Zurich-town hombre, so I went back to England. Now Iβm doing some freelance hypnosis work on Dr. Feelgood.
Shaft: Heh, howβs that going?
El Jefe: Alrightβ¦I guess, I canβt stand the speedos they make me wear thoughβ¦the chafage hurts worse than that time I got that pepper-spray wedgie during a prison riot.
Shaft: Youβre a stronger man than me Jef. Heard from Carlos?
El Jefe: Yeah, heβs all the way in at the Spurs camp. Turns out their Chief Football Scout position was vacant since the early β90s when their rabid ferret flew the coop to manage FC Santa Claus in Finland. They hired Carlos on the spot. He says recently every evening, Harry meets with Mancini and Dalglish in a park, read the redtops and decide which Arsenal targets to bid for. Then they go off and watch βLegally Blondeβ the musical and wank off into each otherβs pockets while singing βBig Boys Donβt Cryβ at the top of their lungs. Some sick shit, ese. Carlos also said he got close to Harry during a recent training session and picked up some interesting intel. Even mentioned jurisdictional interference.
Shaft: Geezβ¦well, keep me posted on any new developments. Iβm off to see the Wizard.
Emirates Control Center, London. We see Gunnersaurus wearing a cheap suit and sorting records of the mail department. He looks up when the deliveryman walks in. He leaves his desk and ambles over to the bulletproof window and receives a package through the slot below the counter. He takes the brown package directly to Controlβs office. Pat Rice turns his swivel chair around to face Gunnersauraus as he walks in and watches over his steepled hands as a brown package is placed on his desk. He waves Gunnersaurus away and waits for him to close the door before opening the package. The package contains a carton of olive oil soap and a note which simply says, βOperation Hash Brown is complete. Enjoy the soap.β Pat Rice burns the note in his hand and watches the ashes as they waft slowly into the ashtray on his desk. He then places the carton of soap in the vault behind his oil painting of Bertie Mee on the wall.
* * * * *
Darren Dein is just ending a business call as he pulls into the driveway of his 4 storey mansion in Essex. He exits his Bentley and slams the door shut. He laughs to himself.
Darren: Hehe, if I have my way Song will be on a plane to Catalonia with RVP in no timeβ¦
He makes a few steps towards the door of his house but then walks back down to the end of the driveway to check the mailbox. He pulls down the flap and gasps in shock as he sees a small cannonball on top of a note. With his hand trembling like a paedo in a primary school he picks up the cannonball and then removes the note from the mailbox. The note says, βWe know.β He looks around the deserted street and feels a chill come over him that has nothing to do with the winter temperature. He pulls his coat around him, walks briskly into his house and bolts the door.
Obviously there has been a lot of posts deleted, completly understandable on a blog of such high standing, yet a bit sad really, because they (the deleted posts) could of stood testiment to how a bit (shit load) of a petro cash injection can fuel (all puns intended) an inflated sense of worth.
There are many Citizens out there who I have the greatest respect for, who followed their team through bad times with dignity and pride, to you gentleman I give a tip of the hat. City were always a well respected team, almost loved by neutrals, because even though you were always in the shadow of the deeply indebted, you still stuck by your boys.
Unfortunatly, as we have seen with the commys from the bus stop, new found wealth, brings along with it a sickly superiority complex, that the weak minded will throw around and brandish like a weapon.
All of a sudden, we are now your “feeder club”, some even take so much pride in that “fact” that they are willing to incorperate it in their monniker (that’s fake internet name, for you window lickers)
Really? I challenge you IQ impaired to (when your folks give you access to the computer) look up the definition of those words.
True gooners, most who frequent, this establishment, applaud and give a warm welcome to departed ex players like Toure, Vieria and even Clichy when they return to the HoF, they gave good service, honoured their contracts and agreements and left on good terms.
The likes of Adebayour, who, by the way, still cost your club a shit load of money every week while plying his trade for a direct rival in the PL and the CL, oops sorry, Yourhoepless League, and Nasri, who no doubt will soon follow suit, left for no other reason then the pursuit of cash, while finding it necassary to bad mouth the club that made them. Ade even though recieving a kings ransom every week never “felt the love” from you guys.
Do you really think it’s weird that we laugh at their misfortune?
Does that make us bitter?
If you had qualified for the next round of the CL would you not be pissing in your pants at what had happened to your neighbours?
Of course you would have, so please check your hypocrisy at the door.
The simple fact is that your club spent a ridiculous amount of unearned cash to compete with the best in Europe, yet you fell at the first hurdle. (While we, a crisis club going nowhere managed to qualify as group winners with a game to spare). With such an investment comes expectation, but also a rancur from others that hope you fail, learn to deal with it with a little more dignity and you may find the neutrals will respect you more.
I, as many here, have followed the Arsenal over a few decades, we’ve seen good times, but we’ve also seen bad times. We’ve seen our club grow, due to good management and wise investment, into the internationally respected institute that it is today.
Who the fuck are you to come here (of all places) and act with such disrespect when all you’ve done or achieved is the equivalent of winning the lottery and become a rich mans play thing?
Good luck in the league, you may very well win it, but just remember, everything that goes around comes around and things can change very quickly in the world of football. It wasn’t too long ago that many thought that no one could ever compete with Chelsea and their new found wealth. They don’t look so hot now do they?
Learn a bit of humility and come here with something intellegent to debate instead of “And look at Arsenal now aye without Nasri and Fabregas?,” and you’ll be welcome. Otherwise stay on whatever retarded poo hole of a site that you call home.
I offer a drink to all the regulars and the visitors who are willing to show a bit of class.
Cheers.
I see you are night owling it again tonight, Shaft. A masterful piece of writing, I must say, and I salute you. But my favorite line was El Jefe’s “Turns out their Chief Football Scout position was vacant since the early β90s when their rabid ferret flew the coop to manage FC Santa Claus in Finland.” Can that dude can turn a phrase, or what?? π
Brilliant stuff from El Jefe. Not going to waste anymore time on it after this but it speaks volumes to me that after the recent results there are no Manure supporters on here spouting off. Just a bunch of obnoxious City fans who don’t know how to handle their newfound success with any class. H2h I believe you though that there are some class City fans out there who have kept their succes in perspective and can actually understand why Arsenal fans would get enjoyment from seeing a chinless twat like Nasri falling out of the CL.
H2H: a glass raised to class is a glass raised to ourselves. And why not?
Must be a few passes being knocked around at this point…
Looking for the runs from Wind, CG or AL, or maybe Tabs or H2H coming in on the blind side…
Pops back in to head it forward……….
Seeing nothing else on, picks out Weltzschmerz…
Dribbles through like a Manc window licker………….
Plays a defence splitting through ball………………
No offside flag…………..
Schadenfreude gets on the end of it…
Who-hoa! Two in two drinks! Great support play, H2H.
Claims the assist to Ned.
And retires off to bed. π
Laters ‘holics.
Sleep tight, H2H. Dream of those killer through balls.
Scene: Sheik Mansour is seething. He can’t find the remote for the TV and Abdul has gone AWOL. To make matters worse the landline is still dead and his Blackberry has inexplicably gone missing. We enter the Sheik’s office as he slumps down on the sofa to consider his next move:
SM: (Thinking to himself) where the fuck is Abdul? where the fuck is the remote…and I bet I have left the Blackberry in the Limo…fuck it I am not going out to the car in this heat ..
———————————————————————-
Abdul: But I can’t hide in the toilet for ever!
Mancini: Just give me an hour. Balotelli is bound to do some shit that we can distract him with…hang on I will call you back…..
————————————————————————
Mancini: Mario got any more of those fireworks?
Jeez…Just started back drinking
It’s almost enough to make you appreciate Manure fans!
Again, well in NBN π
This quick winger knew the time required to score, and thus went to bed π
In addition to what H2H said (well-said by the way), I think personally speaking I have no problems with Man City fans. Everyone I’ve met has been class. My feeling of schadenfreude stems primarily from their previous and current manager, who lack a lot of class and respect for other clubs, and the way Nasri and Adebayor acted as if they were leaving to better pastures and shat all over us. If they suffer I’m happy.
I would like to think that we are united in our hatred of Man U but at the end of the day when it comes to football we’re still rivals right? So a little banter is to be expected π
I did catch up with a few drinks.
Heh, how strange all these weird Manc City cunts coming out of the woods and spouting shite just as their club has been kicked out of the Champions League.
Pathetic and so off the mark.
I’m with H2H at 43.
Wanna know how a supporter base of glory hunters deal with an humiliating streak and the injury that’ll keep their captain and best defender out for the season? My favourite is the guy who’s been in shock watching United in the last 3 years. These 2 titles, 2 league cups and charity shields, 2 finals of the CL must have been really painful to watch…
Fucking cursed white kit. Weβve only won one important game in that fucking shirt, and that was 20 years ago. Sad fact: United have conceded at least 2 goals every time we have worn that kit! Every. Single. Fucking. Time.
Cup Winners Cup in 1991. β99 we were saved by two moments of brilliance (Schmeichel and Giggs) but we were dire.
We better absolutely murder Wolves on the weekend.
SAF has had many months to replace this middling and muddling midfield with quality performers, but for no good reason has chosen not to. What does SAF actually stand for, could it be Stubborn Auld fool?
The Special One will take on Barcelona, the greatest evil in world football (apart from Andersonβs passing) at the Bernabeu, in a showdown which will serve as an audition for the retiring gafferβs throne.
βFergie knows bestβ. Itβs a statement based on sentiment and empathy more than anything.
Iβve been watching United in total shock for the past 3 years. We donβt even learn from past mistakes.
If a second stream Arsenal, can lose marginally to City, youβd expect Manchester United to not be humiliated at home.
Apart from the goalkeeper coach, every coaching post should be made vacant with immediate effect.
Checked out the injury lists. How is it possible we have nine injuries while City only have a single injury? Theyβve even got Hargreaves listed as fit! Maybe Arsene Wenger poisoned our well with his physios?
We need a miracle iβm afraid.
Wonder if the Mancs have their own LeGRash.
NosERash perhaps?
TS @ 62 (well hopefully still 62). Possibly the most amusing thing about this picture is not the deluded hope of winning the CL.
It’s the ‘2011’ date. I don’t think City were in the Champions League last season.
Stubborn old fool?
…knows best?
He’ll have lost the locker room next
Jackster Nose.
Mike Phelan’s lost the dressing room.
Mancs need a new quarterback.
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7362981/Try-Not-To-Laugh…
Heh.
Thursday night
Tuesday afternoon, Channel 5,
Tuesday afternoon, Channel 5 !
Many thanks to everyone who posted their kind wishes yesterday – much appreciated.
Still have most of the drinks to catch up on, but Tabs’ Carlos/Arry sketch and NBN’s Norwegian shock football were both π π
Patients / Victims await – laters ‘Holics π
Morning All
Ollie @ #111 – It’s like a fart in an elevator, wrong on so many levels π
Matt @ #109 – Heart-warming stuff. I understand that all the flags in Surrey are still flying at half-mast. Makes me want to set up a spoof website called ‘Le Toilet’and get guest writers like Gareth Le C*unt & Gervais to post on it all day. Fact!
zico – Safe travels tomorrow fella. Edwin has sent some snow ploughs to your hill in Fifedom to clear the route all the way to the train station. The HT Mk II has been polished specially for the journey with new anti-stick paintwork just in case a few depressed Citizens or Manurites feel the need to throw themselves at it as it speeds by Manchester. PS: Don’t forget to bring your Hill-Woodian speech as you try to woo the shareholders into re-electing you at The EGM. Edwin says his vote is cast in your favour already.
Ollie @ #115 – This week just keeps giving! Tremendous π
Trev – Great to see you back. Will manage a half with us some time tomorrow?
Ignasi Miquel is my preferred choice too to fill in at LB. Good to hear that the launch went well – saw a couple of pics which nelly posted on twatter, looked grand
Trev, add my wishes too. Hope all will be well with Ms T
I’m incredibly bored, at work, with one more hour to kill before I leave for what should be a cracking football weekend
I think the most solid back 4 would probably be Dcourou Kossielni Permat and Vermenlan
…and wait for it…Migil on the fucking bench! (hi Snr Gueli π )
Yes as you can tell I’m feeling in quite funny mood this morning, but I think we’ll leave pep’s hairdo and benny’s wife out if it today!
Here’s to Champions League qualifying must win match tomorrow day to all of my gooners and goonettes!
Morning teas are on me!
And I’m off to get the drinking started…see you lovely gooners in the bar sometime over the weekend!
Let’s hope we treat Everton to a display of good football that ends with a win for the boys in red and white. Think the Toffees will try to stick one on Micky? By the way, I wonder who Moysie will try to get sent off this time eh? π
UTA
Trev
Forgot to pass on my best wishes for your daughter. We have just got number 3 (9 months) out of hospital after a week of bronchitis, so you know that it will pass, although very hard at the time!
CoR
Shaft is moving into a while new super quality – when you can you should illustrate and publish the story. I’d buy it. Seriously.
Ollie
Care to talk us through the hatred of Lyon? Just out of interest. I’m sure they deserve it!
TS @ 117
East Coast Line – far away from Manchester although, not far enough for my liking.
Feelgood re-elected? You think this is some form of democracy?
Oh how we laughed
First line should have been a strikethrough, how do you do them on the drinks?
Looks like I never pressed submit for this ^^^^^^^^^^^^
regarding my 115. Bloody work.
——————–
Dr C. President is an uber arrogant cunt. I hate him with the vengeance.
Other than him, it’s true I probably don’t have the same hatred towards Lyon and their playing staff as I have against Marseille.
No League title before 2002, then suddenly 7 in a row (success feeding success).
No League title since 2007 either, mind ;).
And their supporters are all absolute muppets (as watching the CL 1/4 final between Bordeaux and Lyon in a bar in Paris proved).
Or was it a last 16 round? I have forgotten now.
Ollie, 7 in a row? That would mean no league title since 2009 no?
So your team is Bordeaux? Which is cognac’s too I think. Always happy to adopt another.. Z
Agree about Herbert Chapman. And I’m older than you! Bergkamp would’ve got my vote.
Holic sorry I didn’t see you at the Tollie, I owe you drink for the pleasure the blog gives me but the place was absolutely heaving. Still I got my autographed copy of the book which I’m now reading (and enjoying).
Loved the new song: Manchester Channel 5, Manchester Channel 5…..
Morning all,
Thanks for the kind words again.
Day three of four consecutive trips to/from or to and from Londinium.
How do people commute? I am discomknockerated.
It’s also funny to see the Lyon/Aulas paranoΓ―a.
Nobody’s quite suggesting it was Lyon who bought the game, just that Zagreb (and the ref at Ajax) were bought so I don’t see the point of their club statement and moans.
Which would make it even funnier in terms of how meaningless Lyon’s actual performance was.
Harsha depends on how you work it.
Considering their last title was in 2008 I say no title since 2008.
And surely, you know how the meeja count ‘no title for Arsenal since x’.
x is always 2005 not 2006, no? π
‘holic I remember some mad commuting between Madrid/Paris/London in december 2007 (I think, or was it 2008?. Fucking mental it was).
And yes, Dr iC.
In fact, ‘holic, a certain DublinGooner and I have some sort of Arseboheaux society π
Sir Holic sir,
what with Fabianski being a gash on his knees, and ‘Dropped Kick’ Mannone likely busy as a Jacky Chan movie extra, what price Bob Wilson as keeper 2ic? Maybe if they did a brass bust of Pat Jennings, we could just park him on the goal line?
This picture :
http://images.football365.com/11/12/800×600/evra_2688152.jpg
is even better than the one I posted yesterday.
Despite the abysmal weather, consider me cheerful for the rest of the day.
(yes that big BABY Evra is crying)
Re: Ollie @152: Man U an irremediable downward spiral club?? Vidic out for the season, no Champions League football, Rooney hasn’t produced the goods for months. Need I find further proof???
Should’ve been Ollie @132. Sorry, I didn’t mean to confuse you. π
Dr. T and Dr. C: Wishing all good health to your daughters.
Cheers 8ball. Sleeping peacefully next to me as I have a glass of tinto.
Ollie – righto, I’ll add them to Macabi on my list of teams to watch out for! π
bt8. I had heard about time travel but you did confuse me for a second indeed π
Good man, Dr iC.
(I believe there are several Macabis though, but we all know which one is the real one, thanks to Snir π )
Welcome Mr Gilbert. I am hearing the A word. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Hellollie. First pint of the day is a welcome reviver.
@127 iC – thanks for the thought but following the Reds ups and downs have become the limits of active support – 110k from Bordeaux and on a pension doesnt help!
I found that being a lifelong Gooner spoiled me for any 2nd club – even the village one
Can I suggest a new name for Manure who are now led by Rudeoaf the Rednose moaner
Heh, love it π
Rudeoaf the Rednose moaner, haha.
At this rate, you’ll promise to be sober tomorrow, ‘holic!
Enjoy your pint.
How are the statues? Or is this pre-shindig?
Vidic out for the season and probably a bit into the next as well. Not the best of weeks for ManU. My prediction now is that unless they get someone (and someone really good) in in the January window, then they will have their hands full just staying in the top four, nevermind winning the league.
And the really, really disturbing thing that means is that at the moment the team closest to challenging Man City for the title is… Sp*rs. Not a pleasant thought.
cognac, “Rudeoaf the Red-Nosed Moaner” – never has there been a more apt name!
For some reason, I am already nervous about the game tomorrow and have been since yesterday. Strange, I usually don’t start until a couple of hours before kick-off.
Shaft @88 heh , gret stuff . π π So Carlos is Tottenham’s chief scout now eh ?! And El Jefe is struggling with Speedo Rash (now there’s an idea for a moniker ! π ) . Not surprised his balls hurt , though I think you might find that has everything to do with Dr Feelgood kneeing him in the nuts on making good his escape , rather than any Speedo related problem . Brilliant episode .
H2H @89 – Brilliant post . A BM on the Bar awaits your arrival .
Ned @100 – Great goal with some lovely build up play from H2H .
Matt @109 – Don’t know how you can endure wading through all that muck , but hats off for picking out the juiciest quotes for our delectation .
Ollie @115 – heh π
Trev @116 – Thanks for the kind words , and see you saturday .
Mr C – All best wishes for your little one’s speedy recovery .
If you have a mo , Wolfie would welcome The Quackery’s advice on how to deal with Feelgood’s overtures/machinations at the meeting tomorrow . Wolfie would be grateful if you would confirm if you are still using him as Proxy , if any voting is allowed .
Cognac @145 – “Rudeoaf the Rednose moaner” heh π
Hope you enjoy(ed) the unveiling Holic . Just read your chapter in the Book , Brilliant stuff – awesome .
Cognac, It looks like Rudeoaf the Rednosed Moaner has staying power. π
Lars , agreed on Vidic . What odds Cahill to Manure now ?
Everton have really impressed me on their last couple of visits to the Ems . Should have beaten us in the Snow a couple of years back before Rosicky popped up with a last minute equaliser , and even last year handled us pretty well for an hour before an Arshavin-inspired Arsenal (remember those days ?! ) turned the game around .
Think Fellaini is a marvellous player , and was surprised to see he has signed a new contract with them .
That all being said , we should have too much for them . Relax , We’re The Arsenal .
Heh tabs, I was just thinking the same ‘Cahill to ManUre’, and that doesn’t fill me with fear.
Lars, get that unpleasant thought of your mind.
Basically, when it comes to that stinky lot….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1INb5FM_1lE
Surely you remember that last year they were aided and abetted by the most incompetent referee (excluding the Ajax one from wednesday?) ever for offside decisions.
Don’t mention the snow though π
ofF your mind.
Ok. So far I have;
Israel – maccabi
France- Bordeaux
Spain – anyone but Real Madrid
Holland – Ajax, H2H ???
tabs, I am trying my best to relax – I know we should have too much for them, this is yet another one of those games where it is basically entirely up to ourselves. And I do remember the last home game, I was at the Ems then to witness the most horrible offside non-call for Saha’s opener. Even those of us sat at the Clock End could see how far offside he was but not the ref.
Maybe my nervousness has come about from not being able to visit the bar too much today. Such a shame that work shall be allowed to cut into my drinking time!
Agreed Lars , ridiculous decision last year , but the upside was that it was so poor that it enervated the whole crowd to produce , with the exceptions of the games against Barca and the Chavs , the best atmosphere of last season . So good of Arsenal Media to show it on The Big Screens immediately π
Nothing like a bit of injustice to get the old vocal chords working .
Ollie -we’re doing songs for The Spuds ?
Ok , the title is apt if not the lyrics that follow .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFM0pUn4dcA
Catalan, best wishes for the young senorita. That’s a tough gig at 9 months.
Is it pub time yet?
Shit, no, 81 of your earth minutes….
Correction tabs, Feelgood kicked him in the nuts. De rigeur those DMs π
The Scene : Β Operations Room : D L Ltd. Β
Dr Feelgood is sitting alone at a table, scribbling in a thick A4 notebook. Β The effort in concentration required when he has to think and write at the same time is clearly visible on his face. Β Like a child, he changes the colour of the pen he is using, as he completes one word and then starts constructing another. Β When he completes a whole sentence, he sits back and admires it, glowing with pride, like a father with his first-born.
Into this hive of creativity, walks Professor Storey and Wolfgang Smallballs. Β They have been invited by Feelgood to an “urgent” meeting. Β Smallballs sports a fresh pair of speedoes, on which Alan Sunderland has made an appearance, and Edwin has his ubiquitous clipboard in one hand and a ladies hand-mirror gripped firmly in the other……
Edwin : “What’s happening, Dr F? Β Anything illegal and profitable?”
Feelgood : “No, just working on my retirement speech.” Β
Edwin : “Retirement? What ARE you talking about?”
Feelgood : “My life as a Transport Exec has run its course, Edwin. Β The Happy Train needs new blood, and I have decided to pursue a more rewarding career path. Β Saturday’s meeting seemed like the right time to move on.”
Edwin : “But, what was the point of the great escape, the helicopter, the Blonde Girl with The Ponytail?”
Feelgood : “Everything has its purpose, Professor. My time away allowed me to look at the big photograph. Β I can see a glittering future awaits me in my new career. A Pulitzer prize at the very least I should think.”
Edwin : “Oh. My. God. Β You think it was YOUR book I was getting signed?”
Feelgood : “Well who else, Edwin? Β I AM the resident man of letters, after all.?
Edwin Β (under his breath) : “Postman Fucking Pat more like….”
Feelgood : “Why, only last night Roxette was saying how colourful my writing was, she was very proud.”
In the background Smallballs, was heard to say, to no one in particular…..
“I read a book once. Β It had a fuschia on the front……”
And at that juncture, we leave the 3 amigos, on the eve of a tumultous EGM,
Could this be the end for Dr Feelgood?
Hi guys, a quick stop by the bar before the worst ever biology exam.
Can anyone who’s going tomorrow buy me the program and I’ll take it from him/her when I’ll be in London?
I’m pretty sure this is a program I’d wanna have. π
heh great stuff π π
Come back Dr Feelgood , All is forgiven !! ( on the basis all Speedos have been returned and 10% pay rises are honoured , of course ) .
I’m sure that can be arranged Snir .
Quick reconciliation followed by even quicker issues of conflict among the DLL boardmembers, I see. The flashpoint this time: The proper spelling of Speedos (Speedoes)??
8Ball – heh , I’m never sure , so I use both !
Tabs and zico – thanks. She seems well on the way to recovery, fingers crossed.
TaBs- corrected on spelling by an American! Oh, the shame!
Aha. So reassuring for the rest of us to see board members treating a non-issue as an actual non-issue. But I’m sure you’ll find something else to quibble about, that is unless you guys start making adequate use of the nearly forgotten CMC. π
Ollie at #135 – Another great link. Hahahahaha Evra, what a total twatspatula. Now who’s the boy amongst men?
zico @#159 – The end for Feelgood as a transport exec, eh? All good things faether…..
Lars/tabs – I was at that Everton game last year and the atmos was indeed cracking. We had ‘Tunnelgate’ after the game as well between Cesc & Skeletor who started greetin’ like a bairn. Didn’t we meet up in the Tollie after that match too Lars? Awwww, it was our first meeting π
Green Gilbert @ #134 – Welcome and are you related to Red Rupert? help your self to a pipe and the contents of the GT in the CMC.
Re: the LWCs as title challengers. Let’s never forget that they are only ever one lasagne away from disaster. FOYS! π
Cognac @ #145 – Excellent suggestion. So we have The Pink Panther managing The Vulgarians and Rudeoaf The Red-nosed Moaner managing Manure. Pride of Manchester?
What tabs said, Snir, between all the ‘holics, we can manage this.
Wait, Trev is Mr.T!?!
I need to lie down…
TS, I hope the word twatspatula makes it into the dictionary.
It never fails to make me smile.
Twatspatula – noun and adj – anything related to Manchester
Scene: We are back in Manchester, England. Roberto Mancini is pacing the floor of his office thoughts spinning around his head. Suddenly in steps a disheveled-looking Patrick Vieira, his baby blue blazer crumpled and a streak of blood running down his forehead:
Mancini: Patrick thanks for coming…my god what has happened?…is that broken glass I see in your hair?
Paddy: Its nothing..just a little incident with the skylight. The maintenance guys are fixing it as we speak. Anyway, you sounded strange on the phone. I came straight away. Wassup?
Mancini: we got trouble..
Paddy: what trouble?
Mancini: That cunt Platini has started all of a sudden to lean on us regarding FFP. I thought that you made things right with him?
Paddy: yes he’s our man..
Mancini: well you had better check again because Abdul has just faxed me a long list of demands that he’s sent to Mansour. And he’s threatening sanctions against the club! This is a disaster…we have had to lock the Sheik in his office..
Paddy: WHAT???
Mancini: well what else could I do? But that’s not the worse of it…he thinks we are qualified for the next round of CL..
Paddy: Sacre Bleu!
As they both slumped on the sofa Mancini starts to weep. Paddy is taken aback and stands up immediately. He suspects that there is more to the story than Mancini is telling him…
Paddy: what’s going on Roberto? what is it that you are not telling me?
Mancini: (sighs) well the Etihad deal is dependent on us winning the Champions League!
Paddy: WHAT!!! WHAT?? WTF??!!!
Mancini: Yes…it was all worked out..we were to play Lyon in the final..and they were to give us the match in return for one of the Sheiks cousins to bail them out financially…oh shit! Now you see why we simply can’t let Mansour know that we didn’t qualify?
Paddy: (incredulous at what he was hearing) so how the fuck do you plan to get away without telling the Sheik? And Etihad for fuck sake?
Mancini: well luckily Ethihad and the Sheik are the same so if we nullify him then we should be safe…
Paddy startled at this point starts to leave the room….
Mancini: wait Patrick, hear me out. I have a plan…
Paddy: Like the plan to win the Champions League at the first attempt? You fucking crazy or what? I thought you were loosing it when you started talking about us being better than Barcelona..
Mancini: that was you, you cunt! Now listen! what if the Sheik gets captured by Al Quada? It happens all the time over there doesn’t it? Abdul knows some people…we could hold him until the final when we play united…he knows fuck all about football anyway so he won’t know the difference between the Europa and the European Champions League will he?…..blah, blah, blah
Paddy: (head spinning as Mancini rambles on suddenly knows what he needs to do. He must take charge now before the situation gets completely out of hand)..Roberto, ROBERTO, STOP!! There might be an easier way…
Mancini: my god really?? what’s that?
Paddy: well I know some people who may be able to take care of it but I will have to make a couple of calls…..time is of the essence…I will get back to you in a few minutes….meanwhile go clean yourself up…you are frothing at the mouth for Christ sake. AND don’t talk to anyone until I come back!!
Back in his office Patrick Vieira dismisses the workmen and opens his safe to retrieve his secure Blackberry. He sits down, pores himself a drink and solemnly dials the number:
Paddy: Hello? Shaft..is that you? OK we need to act quickly. Mancini has completely flipped! He’s going to fuck up the entire operation …unless we take him out immediately..
hahaha! Nice one GT!
Mancini’s not on the death list though…might be hard getting Shaft on the case π
I could ask nicely though…..when I’m not pissed on Guinneeess as Im am now π
Firstly, its Speedos π
Wolfie, back me up on this one!
Secondly, GoonerTerry you legend!
Super Quality mate, I thought that Paddy had gone to the dogs for good…
And Dr Feelgood, say it ain’t so! π
I really want a anniversary program, but I haven’t got a ticket to the anniversary game fml due to my own idiocy of not buying one when I had the time and money available, oy vue…
Think I’ll have to get a 12 and 19 down to the Ems to snaffle one, I won’t be paying through the nose for one in a few years, rather pay out of the wallet now π
It’s Wolfie’s lucky day – someone asked him to go up the back…..
I’ve never been much of a programme collector, (note spelling master Wind), but can you not buy copies of any match programme after the game direct from the club?
I know other clubs do it.
I would offer to help, but I don’t suppose you want a programme that is guinness spattered and that’s before I start thinking about Roxette’s mother…..
Mr C @165 – Aha ! It appears there is a wise Wind blowing at 175 !
No doubt The Speedo Spelling scandal will rumble on .
Have to say I’ve seen it spelt both ways so take your pick .
TS @167 “Skeletor” heh π
GT@172 π
Afternoon gentleman.
Tabs, high praise indeed and thanks for leaving me breakfast on the bar.
Ollie, very well spotted re the twat with the tat’ (a twatoo, heh) plus excellent PE tune, nothing like a bit of Chuck D to wake you up and get you ready for a hard day of drinking.
cognac, Rudeoaf the Red-Nosed Moaner, π
Dr C. I don’t really have a second team. I lived in The Hague for years and the of the clubs I worked at were a sponser and had special seats at ADO Den Haag, so I used to go there sometimes, although it was more for the free drink then the footy.
I currently live in North Holland, the two closist teams are AZ Alkmaar and Ajax, so I basically keep an eye on those two, because I have customers from both fan bases. I’ve been to watch AZ a few times (with a regular) over the last year, but I wouldn’t call myself a supporter. When it comes to football, there’s only really room in my life for the Arsenal.
Right BM’s downed, weekends about to kick in, who’s up for a beer?
Aahhh! That end-of-week feeling when the job’s done, students have been suitably lectured (in both senses) and all you just sit back and happily waste the remaining contractual half-hour.
Kick ass.
Wind , mosey on down to the ground , get your programme , up to the Tollie for a couple of liveners , wander off to The Holloway Road , find Juicer showing the game live (there must be a few) , return to Tollie to get wazzock drunk .
Here endeth the lesson Grasshopper π
Dr Z @177 heh π
* all you do is…
A beer just the ticket . Cheers H2H .
Speedos, Speedoes.
Weirdos, Weirdoes.
It’s all the same to me. 8)
Right Pub Time.
Arthur, I hear ya.
It’s Guinness time……….
Later, fine folk.
Heh! zico @ #178 re: the mother-in-law. BTW, it’s Ollie who’s the spelling and grammar Na$ri round here π
TOE @ #171 – ….. AND ROTTENHAM!
Wind @ #176 – Plenty of spares being offered on Twitter if you’ve still got the funds. Go to @arsenal_tickets young man.
GoonerT @ #172 – Nice post.
tabs @ #179 – I used to respect Moyesey until that incident and how he handled it post match. It looks like both he and Mr.Terry have an appetite for grass.
Zico @ 177, oh you… 8)
But the shame! ‘Program’ The shame!!! π₯
Thanks for the offer mate, but I’ll think I’ll avoid the Guiness splatter by following wise Master tabs teachings @ 182, although even he in his venerable wisdom did not forsee one thing relating to the Tollie, or indeed any other juicer.
A lack of I’D. π
Looks like I’ll be finding a stream tomorrow, even if this Wind is wise beyond his years.
TS @ 187, Thank you for your kind sentiment, I’ll check it out, even with my lack of Twitter account but the odds are bad for me being able to fence the cash, with Christmas around the corner and me having a bad habit of spending money before I even get it (where there’s a will, there’s a way).
Can someone please explain to me, what the FUCK biology has to do with Sports Management?
Seriously, I would like to know.
Just in case it causes offence I should qualify my #187. I swapped Na$ri for Nazi as opposed to the OED meaning of the word Na$ri i.e. C*nt. I was in no way implying that Ollie is anything like a Na$ri.
Right, I’m in a huge hole and I’m going to stop digging.
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2011/12/09/182400_canal-se-rattrape-sur-le-premier-choix-de-la-ligue-des-champions.html
so it’s going to be Canal+ and Al Jazira Sport. byebye TF1 which is no great loss at all, shit channel, shit commentary, no analysis.
Of course I guess it means me paying more money unless AJS comes in with my current package…..
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2011/12/09/174126_aulas-a-demande-a-un-avocat-de-regarder-la-situation.html
the paranoia continues.
‘OL Group is floated on the stock exchange’…..er, so fucking what? :s
and
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2011/12/09/152037_thiriez-plutot-que-de-relayer-le-poison-du-soupcon.html
*puts lid over TS in that hole*
I take huge offence. Well no, not really but weird choice all the same.
Grammar Nazi is OK in my book. Grammar Nasri isn’t.
I know it’s weird, but I guess one is an established idiom, while the other is downright insulting π
The beer’s on you tomorrow ;D – hoping Lars sends his wallet.
Wind – ah , hadn’t factored that in , in my calculations π
TS – always hated Moyes . Actually probably a decent chap off camera , but on camera he always comes over as petulant , defensive , and rude .
I am also convinced that during times of snow , Everton gain an unfair advantage (see 2-2 draw 2 seasons ago ) . Have no actual proof for this contention , but I reckon when its snowing , Moyes strips off Butt-naked , and puts himself on as an illegal 12th man . Against the snowy background , he simply can’t be seen . All that is visible is a slight tuft of gingery hair , and I’m pretty sure referees put this down as a Hornet who got his timings wrong .
Playing butt-naked in the snow has obviously taken its toll on Moyes’ nether regions , hence why he is so grumpy in post-match interviews .
CMC anyone ?
Camberwell, does the school you teach that resonate with ‘Heart’, ‘Academy’ or ‘Thomas’ in proximity to the place in your name? π
Have I just got time to make a short pass before going out?
So he comes off the Bench , and immediately looks to get involved …
Cognac , you can make a pass at me if you want , but I won’t necessarily go for it π
Nods on to fresh Tabs
Is Tabs doing an AA
Get in?
plays it back to Cognac …
Have the city chumps all gonned away?
Ohhhh yes it’s in!!! Barely crossed the line.
Sneaky Senor Gs it off Tabs
F*ck , sorry Cognac , you got me all excited and I couldn’t concentrate π
Well in Snir .
Have a good night you all
Coyreddddsss
The Moon shines bright tonight π
*muffled voice* Ollie @ #192 – Heh! I figured you would respond like that and who are you calling an idiom? Excellent young man. Happy to buy you and others a beer tomorrow but I’d rather drink some than pour it all over myself although I am very good (as ‘Holic will testify) at knocking a beer over when I get excited by recollections of Anfield ’89 (ask me tomorrow).
tabs @ #193 – Brilliant! The Everton manager shall be known, forthwith, as Milky Moyes π
Santos out for more than 3 weeks π
http://news.arseblog.com/2011/12/arsenal-get-bad-news-over-santos/
Am I the only one interested to find out if the statues have Adams’ and Henry’s numbers on the back ? π
Evening all,
I’ve just been given a ticket for tomorrow, YIPPEE!
Before I can celebrate with a pint (or two) with my new found ‘holics in The Tollie pre match I have to offer it to my sons..
Son number 1 is playing football tomorrow pm…..GOOD NEWS
Son number 3 has been for the last 3 matches so has to cede..YES
Son number 2 has elected to stay out for the evening, I’m hoping he’s the worse for wear with a mild but irritating hangover and doesn’t fancy the trip tomorrow which leaves me with my fingers crossed….
Does that make me a bad Dad I wonder?
Geoff @ 211: Yes bad to the bone (0;
Geoff.
Our frind Shaft would say thar makes you a bad mother…. π
@Tabs: bad news indeed, more than 3 weeks could easily turn into 2 months. Luckily we have 5 CBs fit, some of them have proven they can play on the defensive wings with 2 promising youngsters a couple of weeks away. Don’t ever remember a time when we had 5 CBs available.
Compare that with last season when our best CB and vice-captain was out for most of it and the experienced backup did not turn out to be as efficient as we hoped (that’s an euphemism…). Now it’s United turn with Vidic out for the season. It was said 4th was not good enough for us in May, at least we were qualified for the CL. Not sure Ferdinand, OShea, Jones and Smalling have what it takes to keep them winning 1-0. Interesting times!
Very nice Geoff, and I think it makes you a rational Gooner π
Wind, if it had those words in the name it’d sound a lot more poetic…
GT, iH2H, WIND,
I’m a rational bad mofo Gooner!
I shall wear the label with pride gentlemen π
COYR!!!!!
Nice one Geoff. Think it makes you the perfect Father. So perfect it could only be improved by slipping said son twenty or thirty quid and telling him not to come home until he’s spent the lot pouring Jaegerbombs down his neck. Should get that hangover sorted nicely π
tabs 201, a classic π
But the timid attempt by Snir had already trickled in.
Good work, Snir, next time just blast it in! π
Hmmm Snowy, now you mention it……..:)
Geoff – I’m with Snowy , a few Jaegerbombs would render Son No.2 incapable of , not only travelling , but also the energy to respond to your “Good Dad”question “Fancy the Arsenal tomorrow son ?”
Sorted .
Heh Snowy , recovered from the Guiness-fest on wednesday ?
Matt@214- Interesting times indeed . Think they’ll go shopping , probably for Cahill , which as Ollie has already pointed out , doesn’t fill me with dread .
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-europa-league-has-quality-this-year
Haha, same old ArsΓ¨ne, taking the piss π
Ollie @219 – Glad you appreciated my Bfg change of pace π
Sorry but that news on Santos has just got me pissing vinegar all over again.
Mental decision to play him on Wednesday night.
And I see we have the Spanish waiter back in the squad for tomorrow. Mannone has got that common shoulder injury which is sometimes referred to in medical circles as acute embarrassment.
Just as well tabs is taking Lars spot at the bar tomorrow….. 8) 8)
Evening tabs – somewhat unexpectedly there was no recovery required the following day. Which did make me wonder whether I was still drunk for an entire day at work π Clearly I must try harder tomorrow, since it’s not a school night an all.
Geoff – since the idea has been seconded it’s got to be worth a try. If we see you tomorrow we’ll know it’s been successful π
Ollie @ 222 heh π
Hope this works. He may have removed 5 years from our history ( π ) but what a Legend indeed and a true Gooner!
Thierry, I salute you.
This way?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEhcyuXSPgc&feature=player_embedded
OK Tuesday night then.
Feck.
Best stay off the drink tomorrow…….how’s the coffee in that, there Tollington?
Coffee is exclusively Irish at the Tollie Dr Z π
Nice link Ollie , top banana indeed . But where is TA ? Very strange relationship he has with the club these days . Wasn’t there when we left Highbury . Don’t buy this “business to sort out in Azerbajan” guff .
Good to hear it Snowy π
Thanks tabs, the decision is now officially bilateral and therefore set in stone!
And Snowy, no hangover or I’ll effects? WOW! Respect.
Being Scottish ‘n all, I guess I kind of disqualified myself then, tabs.
I’ll compromise and stop drinking tonight at midnight.
TaBS – so young Master Wind pronounces that “Speedos” is correct. And you accept that as a definitive truth? Perhaps he read it in his “program” ?? π
Geoff and tabs – no-one was more surprised than I…
I don’t know whether this means my liver has simply disintegrated completely or it has become more robust as a result of visits to the Tollie…
Either way…. Game on π
They do coffee in the Tollington?
Seriously?
Game on indeed Snowy , may the best man win π
Ollie – Coffee ? I was just humouring the lad π
Mr C – Now I’ve already admitted ignorance in the great Speedo spelling debate . What else can a man do ? I CAN however tell you that both spellings have been used on The Official Speedo Website ( I am their best customer ) , so I would be careful as to making definitive statements on the matter .
The Debate goes on π
Good to see that the club shop now has on sale some items I paid the full price for a couple of week ago.
Bah.
Maybe it’s only online and the P&P would offset that :p
Still, soon you will be able to order this:
http://arsenaldirect.arsenal.com/invt/A9181/
TaBS! Sorry mate… of course, Wolfie is a close confidant of Mr C, and I would hate to strain that relationship!
A pipe of peace? Oriental or Eastern seaboard?
I now see that TF1 didn’t bid much for the CL because ‘with 17-18%, it’s less than some US TV series’.
As I said, good fucking riddance (even if it was ‘free’).
Frimpong is a genius.
tabs/TS: the atmosphere at that Everton game was indeed very good thanks to that inept linesman. And yes, TS, it was before and after that game that we had a few pints at the Tollie! π
Like zico I am annoyed that Santos played on Tuesday, but there is little we can do about that now. Guess we’ll just have to cope, unfortunately. And then of course never do something as incomprehensible as that again.
I really wish I could have been there at the Tollie tomorrow, I know that you all will have a great day out. I will be at an Arsenal Sweden Xmas party, so I will get my fair share of drinks and fun as well – and if I get too drunk then I will blame it on Ollie being a bad influence!
No worries Mr C , with that darn Feelgood on the loose , Wolfie knows who his friends are π
Eastern seaboard ? Excellent . I’ll get the pipes .
Eastern? I believe I meant Western.
Serves the pedant right!
Hey ho…. chug away….
Have a great day Lars .
No table dancing now π
Hej Lars
Have a great Arsenal Xmas Party mate. We’ll do our best to do something similar tomorrow π
You will be missed.
Shall we drink to that on your tab?
The great Speedo spelling debate. Really?? Then let me offer a third alternative. I bet Carlos Kickemhard’s preference is Spidoes. π
‘OK I keep you informed if they call me back’.
Er Nooooooooooo. I’m not on call and I’m going to bed soon, so please don’t call me back, didn’t mean to work at all tonight.
Sorry, carry on.
heh at my bad influence Lars π
Anyway, time to pack and go to bed.
See some of you tomorrow.
Have fun at the Swedish bash, Lars!
Ollie, Thank you for the Thierry Henry clip @247. If I could be one of those three statues, he would be my pick. (Not that I normally think about becoming a statue, of course.) π
Good evening sir. Delighted to meet you again and the Management the other night. Enjoy yourself tomorrow.
Catalan, Ollie, Holic – thanks for adopting Maccabi π
Although I have to say that we’re in an “Arsenal end of season” type funk for the last 2 months now… We were first, we’re 9th now! Losing the Derby against Hapoel in the process…
Catalan @ 232, go easy on me man! π
Migraines and blistering cold fingers on the keypad maketh for bad spelling π
All I have to say is, the silent ‘e’ proves my point heh heh.
tabs, TS, Ollie: cheers, and if any votes have to be cast at the EGM my vote is “Yes, another beer would be a great idea”!
Good night Wind boy! π
Shit! The EGM!
Wolfie, I’ll try and get Mr C’s instructions for the EGM. But I know for a fact that you have his vote by proxy.
I feel he may well live to regret that….
Excellent news Mr C π
Holic, question.
Were people from Le Cunt invited to the unveiling as well? I sure hope not.
@122: Hey Catalan, thanks for the kind words! With all of the art projects I’m attempting simultaneously, it’ll be difficult to accomplish but maybe I’ll give it a go after I finish the BTA stuff π But with all of the graphic violence towards public officials might be facing legal action π
Argh…so hungover here…off to eat some breakfast and rewatch the Olympiacos game. Maybe be a little productive too…
DVR set to record Arsenal v Everton in case midmorning (10am kickoff here) family activities drive me away from what’s really important …
Evening all.
Seriously tired now. What a week. Still got to get up in the morning and do it all over again.
How on earth do people commute? I salute you if you do.
What a great week for us Gooners seeing TH14 tears in his eyes made me shiver and felt for all of you Holics very special.This love is bonded beyond falling apart!
Great day tomorrow especially for those who are going. have a ball Holic and Holics!
Love you all π
THERE IS ONLY ONE GOONERHOLIC!
G’night ‘holic, away games count as commuting in my book and we probably racked up a lifetimes travelling watching our beloved gooners by the late 70’s!
Ollie @ 226.
Ah mate, shame you didn’t post the link at that precise number (I’m sure you meant to) That would of been fucking legendary.
The man who scored 226 goals for our beloved club, in tears at recieving that honour.
God bless you TH. (you too Ollie and all fellow gooners π )
========
For all the ‘holics attending tomorrow, enjoy yourselves at this historic occasion, my thoughts will be with you as I watch on from the lowlands, please have a drink on me.
Burning migraine, kept me up till now, icing it as I type (you should see my head :lol:)
Watching Arsenal Player videos (Press Conferences with Wenger, Henry, Friar etc) to pass the time as I can’t fall asleep, I feel how lucky I am to spport this beauiful club over any other, that’s what springs to mind at this time of night/early morning π
Feel better soon, Wind. Sleep well.
Thanks NBN, appreciated from the bottom of my heart/
Wind.
Are you from the UK or the US?
Cause usually it’s just me, the US holics and CoR in the bar this late :)!
Happy 125th, Arsenal!!
TH14 what a legend! Thanks for the link Ollie
Any kind of victory today, please
H2h @264 great spot, i didnt think of it! uncanny! Especially as I DID post the link at 226 but embedded so it doesn’t show. Hence my second try. Wish the barman did one of these usual drink correction then.
I have a gift….(but sometimes it jinxes).
Anyway I’m off
As predictable as an Abou Diaby injury, I awake to 3 inches of snow. A mere dusting compared with this time last year.
Roxette murmurs something incomprehensible in her sleep, but no doubt means that I am being chastised for something , even if only in her dream.
The day starts auspiciously though, as I get news that the Feelgood Foundation have found a reason for me to be in London on 10th January which improves my chances of making the Cup game against Leeds.
And it continues. The local Happy Train arrives, on time, for Auld Reekie, and we’re off….
Shaft is wearing thick winter clothing, a black balaclava, UV snow goggles and has a rifle slung over his back. He is making his way slowly across the Greenland Ice Cap towards Kangerlussuaq. After travelling for several hours with only freezing winds and the crunching sound of snow beneath his feet to keep him company, he finds himself in front of an igloo. He rests his ski poles on the side of the igloo, gets on his hands and knees and crawls through the narrow entrance. Once inside he removes his UV snow goggles and rubs his eyes in disbelief. The interior of the igloo is huge and spacious and thick smoke is billowing over and around him. In the centre of the igloo is a shrouded figure sitting in a lotus pose and hovering two feet off the ground. Shaft gets to his feet and removes his gloves as he approaches the figure.
Wizard: Iβve been expecting you for some time now John.
Shaft: Helluva spot you picked for a vacation.
Wizard: Itβs magnificent isnβt it? Itβs one of the few places I can still get peace and quiet. Did you have a difficult time getting here?
Shaft: Besides being in the blistering cold? Nah, no problems at all. You know why Iβm here right?
Wizard: Yes. But before we get into that, letβs get you warmed up. Come with me.
The wizard extends his legs and stands on the ground. He beckons Shaft to follow him to the far end of the igloo where a table, two chairs and two cups containing hot, dark liquid appear. The wizard offers Shaft a seat.
Shaft: You know I donβt drink no tea man.
Wizard: I know. I never said that the cups contained tea.
Shaft sniffs suspiciously at the contents of the cup and then takes a sip of the hot liquid.
Shaft: Goddamn, I forgot how much Shaoxing wine burnsβ¦
Wizard: I wouldnβt know, Iβve never had it. Iβm drinking Lipton tea.
Shaft: For a man with such sublime skill you sure have some simple tastes.
Wizard: Hmph. So you came here to ask for my help, right?
Shaft: Yeah, Iβve recently discovered a weakness in myself I didnβt even know I had. I canβt handle fugly. You gotta help me, for old timeβs sake.
Wizard: Alright, I owe you one after all. Once you do as I say, youβll be fine. We canβt have Shaft going off half-cocked now can we?
Shaft: Heh, funny.
Wizard: Close your eyes and think back to the first time you encountered fugly. Now do you remember what happened?
Shaft: I do. I was 16 when I met this friend of my motherβs and she was fugly as hell. She tried to have her way with me. But I passed out when she tried enticing me by playing with the hairy moles on her face. The last thing I remember is the Sesame Street theme song as my head hit the linoleum. And when I woke up there was piss in my hightop.
Wizard: I see. And ever since then youβve been allergic to fugly?
Shaft: Only when sober.
The wizard peers at Shaft with his piercing blue eyes and strokes his chin as he ponders the solution to Shaftβs problem.
Wizard: You should know, I can fix you, but if I remove this weakness it will leave a space in your psyche that must be filled by some unforeseen weakness. Knowing this, do you still want to get rid of your fugly allergy?
Shaft: Yes.
The wizard snaps his fingers and next to the table a plasma TV and a DVD player appear. The wizard hands Shaft a DVD. It says Dennis Bergkamp Centurion on the cover.
Wizard: Well, finish whatβs in your cup then look at this DVD. By the time you get to the end, you will have been exposed to so much beauty in motion that you will be simply unable to remember, much less react to fugly in any form or fashion.
Shaft: Thanks Dennis.
Wizard: No worries. The only thing that makes me happy is assisting my teammates.
Heh John Shaft
Fugly is as fugly does π
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8946755/Alan-Smith-Arsenal-legend-Tony-Adams-unsure-where-his-lengthy-career-journey-will-take-him-next.html
Morning all,
Here we go again. Later than expected. Pub around half twelve.
I am PHuqued with a capital PH…
I can see I am going to have to give you a few commuting tips π
Morning ‘holic enjoy the match today – but have some sympathy for us oldies who cant watch today
Today is our annual feast for the elderly in our village (for which I am well qualified)
At least 6 courses, free flowing booze (usually St Emilion and the local brew in various forms) served by the mayor and his acolytes, followed by entertainment about which I shudder to think
Unlikely to be finished before at least half time (i.e 5 hours) so I will be unable through inebriation to follow the match even by a stream
Oh yeah and all paid for by the taxes
Please you red lets make it and wonderful victory over those toffees
Coyrs
Wolfie
Thanks for being my proxy (but certainly not a poxy one – I have your blood tests back) at the EGM today.
My main advice would be (to paraphrase our cousins across the pond) to beware maniacs bearing gifts. Dr F is making the right noises, but we haven’t kept Carlos and El Jefe on alert for no reason. And until I see everything signed, all presecriptions for executive management are still blocked (you, of course, can just help yourself)
Make sure you secure that 10% rise for all.
A large increase in budget for the CMC. It seems to be a little bare at the moment. Heaven knows why, we’ve not had many patients recently. What with the doors being locked and all.
There’s been a lot of Wind about recently. Best get something special for that.
Please ring fence any funds for the drugs from your uniform allowance. Those Jimmy Choos are your responsibility. On the plus side you don’t actually wear any uniform (I don’t regard Speedo(e)s and a surgical mask as uniform), so what you lose on the swings…..
Best get a couple of new paddles. Those two you have are showing signs of wear and tear. And I don’t want you holding back when administering treatment. Especially with the transfer window coming up and patient Ganggoolie showing no signs of responding to Dr BS’s therapy.
Ketamine for the usual suspects.
Morphine for any Mancs that jump on board…. to ease their pain.
Ooo…. and we could probably do with some new bed restraints. You and Carlos have worn out the old set.
That should do it – I shall leave the rest to your discretion.
Mr T… any further instructions?
Wolfie
Urgent – watch out for Prof TeS. Dr F may be a spent force, but remember it was the Professor who proposed removing your Jimmy Choos and changing room. He was also the one who broke Dr F out of that “hotel”.
Watch out for the quiet ones….
My dear Mr.C
Some people might think that but I couldn’t possibly comment.
Regards, Edwin (E Does What Is Necessary) :-0
Enjoy your feast Cognac. At least comfy in First Class today. I have the zico book. What day is it?
Cognac
Struggling to summon up the required sympathy…!
PS – is it just me that is silently applauding AVB’s continuing rants against the meedja?
‘Holic Tis the day before the day after when Doctor Feelgood will rub his hands down your spine giving you a tingling feeling just like Moyes after a 4-1 to the reds
Looks like the EGM is getting underway pretty soon, let’s hope all goes well and that the Arsenal can follow it up with another three points in the bag. Have a great day everybody, I’m off to the pub now to prepare for our Xmas do so see you all sometime very late tonight in what will hopefully be a state of drunken happiness!
Come on, Arsenal!
See! @ 281
Even Goonerholic is reading it. A Pulitzer, I’m tellin’ ya. 8)
Morning all.
thanks again to all the kind well-wishers – truly much appreciated.
Catalan – hope No.3 is now fine – unwell children are a huge worry – especially when they can’t breathe properly.
Whatever you do, don’t take her anywhere near the Quackery π
The Scene : Β Ex Executive Suite, Executive Carriage, HTMkII
Dr Feelgood is clearing out his desk. Β Every item brings a tear to his eye, but none more than the photograph he holds in his hands. Β It was taken on the journey earlier in the season when Arsenal had gone to Germany. Β Wolfgang, resplendent in his psychedelic lederhosen, Professor Storey in an immaculate business suit and holding a spanking new Apple Airbook with which he used to calibrate all the special effects on the Happy Train. Β A red haired gent is settled in behind the two, immersed in the special edition of the Oxford English dictionary. Β If you could hear him, you would know he was swearing gently in French. Β
And who else made up this picture?
There was a Nordic chap, shuffling a deck of cards : American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Nectar Card, Oyster Card, Tarot, Red Membership – he held all the cards. Β There was an old bloke with a broom. Β There was a young Israeli peering intently into a crystal ball. Β There were two Doctors, so far out of it they were drifting out of the photograph altogether. Β There was a Time Lord with a masterful quill writing pure poetry. Β There was a real guy called Steve, pleading for use of the wide angle lens. Β There was a caribbean cartoonist twirling an imaginary moustache. Β There was a snowman. Β There was an Englishman wearing clogs. Β There was a harsh (maybe not) looking indian chap. Β There was a yank holding an 8 ball. Β A man from France proferring Cognac. Β There was unbelieveable Geoff. Β A Wind was blowing from left field. Β A bearded man. Nurse Abb. Β Swedish barmaids by the score. Β A cast of thousands behind them. Β And right in the middle was the voluble Barman, Bose-clad ears, wise, and welcoming.
And Feelgood thought to himself, am I really ready to dis-embark the Happy Train?
Heh zico @ #287! masterful…. π
zico / Feelgood –
shouldn’t you be on the train, or is it iFeelgood today ?
See you later !
And so, a glorious frosty sun lights the Home Counties this morning, just as the glorious Gunners will light The Emirates this afternoon.
I’m off shortly to hail the Happy Train to North London, where I am expecting to meet a galaxy of top Gooners from ‘Holicdom.
From there, a short walk to the stadium to see a couple of players who are slower than Denilson and Bendtner – ladies and gents, I give you the new statues of Thierry and Tony – and some real ones who are faster than wind (or Wind ?) itsself.
Come on you REDS – the next 125 years starts today !!!
If you’re already there Tabs – get that half on the bar mate π
Heh Zico!
Is there a book open on his final decision?
zico – it’s the Happy Polar Express – great stuff π
It’s all happening on the zPad, Trev.
Yes Catalan, I’d say evens. π
Knocks a speculative, unselfish ball out to the left wing . . .
Tries unsuccessfully, to get ‘Holic to go on a run through the middle . . .
Realises he is light years ahead of all the other players and gives up . . . .
I’m with you Trev!
Thanks for the good wishes…… I’m free!
Forgot to say – have a great day, all that are going. Keep warm in The Tollie. Good luck travelling Zico…
A little dink to the far post.
Cheers Catalan,
It’s all very civilised at the moment.
Oh, the bar’s just opened! π
Knocks it forward…
Zico @287 – you are a star
Even with a migraine, Wind lurks in dark corners…..
A fair Wind brings a sweet score
well my personal bar calls – have a good one all of you
And its gone into the back of the net!
He shakes off his former migraine and starts dancing Santos style with Zico towards the fans in the West Stand π
Boy, is he feeling good π
Aw shucks, Cognac,
Have a great day out – I know I will π
Thanks Zico for the assist, it was pure instinct – I had just woken up π
Watching the Boss and The King of Highbury this early morning helped to cure my migraine anyway, calming voices and all of that π
Heh Wind.
You feel good.
Good.
Dear Mr C ,
Heartfelt thanks for your most fulsome reply . Time constraints militate against a full reply – I have still to do my nails (blue canons on a yellow background ) , and to squeeze into my Tony Adams goal against Everton 1998 Commemorative fur-lined Speedoes – save to say that I am in full agreement with every one of your pints , err … points .
Never has the the all-encapsulating wisdom of the Quackery been more in evidence . I worship before your stethoscope and your pipe .
As for Prof TES , don’t worry , I have a plan – Guinness , and lots of it . He’ll be incoherent by the time I’ve finished with him .
Yours Votingly
Wolfgang Smalballs .
Damn, I have to learn to time these far post ghost runs….
Nice sunny day making Tollie Garden available – Tick
Full English Gutbuster – Tick
Speedoes and Parasol – Tick
Lars wallet – Tick
Good luck everybody whereever you be watching . 2-0 to the Arse with Theo bagging a brace – you heard it here first .
Trev – your half will await Sir .
Zico @287 – fan-f*ckin-tastic π π
Great stuff Shaft .
Wind @300 – That’s my boy π
COME ON THE ARSENAL !!!
He’s incoherent before you start, Wolfie π
The Backdrinks –
Snir @ 268, I’m from the UK, I had a searing migraine that didn’t allow me to sleep so I came on my joint-favourite Arsenal blog to see who was about π
Shaft @ 272, better and better and better you get π
Cognac @ 277, enjoy your day π
Mr C @ 278, I’m honoured, made me laugh so hard π
Zico @ 287, masterful indeed π₯ I do love drifting in from the left…
And I do feel good, I’ll feel even better if there’s a golden ticket in my programme once I get onto picking it up.
Trev @ 289, debatable, but I’ll give you that due to the momentous occasion π
Geoff @ 309, as tabs will surely tell you, you must lurk like a shadow then strike at the speed it disappears in the sun/light π (wise! :P)
And finally, thanks for the praise tabs on my ‘comeback from pain’ century π
Come on you supaReds!!!
Alright, Avante, to North London!
‘Goes to get the 12 and 19 ;)’
Come on Arsenal! Let’s sacrifice those Toffees in front of the new statues to remove the curse of the Emirates today. Blood must be shed today.
Happy Anniversary everyone. Those going to the game have a good one. I’m off to get pissed with cheap Kirin beer on a mountain π
UTA
Re: Dr. Z @287. Ah, the nostalgia!!
Wind @300: Well in old chap!!
Those meeting up at the Tollie and the Emirates: You lucky gooners!!
Come on Arsenal!!
Re: Mr. Dr. C at 278: Easing pain for the mancs? Should not your license be removed for even mentioning such a thing? π
Getting a scarf at the Armoury, Β£8.
Guess that Β£55 away jacket will have to wait till Christmas lol π
Any streams showing pre-match celebrations??
Happy 125th
COYRRR do us proud.
I don’t like this half at all.
Has the making of being “one of those days.”
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!
my stream just disappeared.
Anyone….?
http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/96966/1/watch-arsenal-vs-everton-fc.html
Commentators are annoying though…
Nearly by Theo. Great effort.
Beautiful RvP!!!
que golazo …. π
R V PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
Robin van Persie!
34 in 2011!
114 total!
One nil to the Arsenal
1-0 to the Arsenal!
In places hard to watch, but I’ll take that result every day of the week.
Song.
I salute you.
Not only did you not get booked, but you played with the defensive application we need from you. You never held back, it was Arteta who held back because of an early booking!
And that assist. You are truly the most gifted DM in the world. I’m sorry for wanting to save you for City but that just shows how much I rate you in that I don’t want you to get suspended for the game against City.
What does the Song – RvP goal remind you of (I’m asking cause I wanna see that I’m not the only one who noticed it, if I did I may be wrong lol).
Joshua
Thanks very much!
Not a classic, but a great goal and 3 points. Now the Tollie should start rocking….
What in the top 4 already?
That was quick!
good win gays….
we march on
That was the prettiest goal Robin ever scored, absolutely thrilling!!!
Kos was like the energizer bunny, he was everywhere! Theo never gave up, good work ethic. This Miquel character has some smooth moves as well. Flashes of brillance from our Arsenal. I’m so happy, I could cry!
Well did I miss much – speak quietly please I’m a bit sozzled
He scores when he wants to!!! Get in.
Such a beautiful goal. The cross, the volley, seeing it in the back of the net. Lovely.
“He scores when he wants to.”
Catalan, FirstRowSports.tv is fairly reliable. If only I could say the same about the commentary.
Unless Gibbs starts getting luckier with injuries, Iggy Miquel could be the future left back…. after a few years of the Brazil Nut.
Snir, was it Song that gave RVP the greatest flyin volley in the world way back?
Joshua
Trevor Francis is a first class knob. Mute button…..
PiK @340. You must mean Eboue’s right wing cross? Today’s Song-RVP goal truly exceptional class. Huzzah!
Joshua, You should be able to find some arabic commentary that would be more intelligible than Trevor Francis.
Oh, sorry boys, it’s been a minute since I’ve been around. Guinness please, barman. An one for The Electric Mayhem ( I.e. TaBS, Zico, Snir, Catalan, n gang)!
That has to be a contender for goal of the season!!
Brilliant from RVP! Please stay at Arsenal…
1-0 to the Arsenal! Bring on the Oil cunts
Or commentary in a dozen other languages, I should say.
That’s the one, bt8b! No telling which was better, both absolutely perfect!
Trevor Francis’ thoughts sound like random words out of a scrabble bag…completely insipid throughout the match
Welcome back PIK, how you been?
I’ll get you a drink to toast 125 more years. The Electric Mayhem eh?
PIK, I think it was Eboue
and where the hell have you been?! Good to have you back
Have a pint, on Lars’ tab
Tim
Thoughts? Don’t give him the credit…
PiK – It was Eboue for RvP’s goal at Charlton.
But this Song to RvP we try a whole lot.
Cesc to RvP against Wigan was one, but that’s harder because people used to close Cesc down more than Song but have a look at this…
The first play of the highlight reel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3AZ0tn5s64
Fantastic win today, could have scored more but what the hell I would take 1:0 gladly before the game!
Great vision from Song and what a strike by Robin The Man!
Drink for everyone on Lars tab! (Sorry Lars) π
Come on you REDS!
Good work rate from everyone today, we never looked like loosing this one but I believe we deserved to win it!
Thanks for the welcome! Catalan, I’ll switch to whatever your drinking. I hope TV alright, he was a hell of a player tonight.
Was also impressed with Theo today. He’s becoming quite a player.
PiK, TV should be fine. I think he was taken off because of blurred vision (from an Everton player smacking him in the head).
Wenger: ‘The problem in January is that we lose Chamakh and Gervinho but we have Arshavin and Chamberlain who can come in’
Heh. Oh no, no Chamakh in January. Hands up who’ll notice?
I’d like to see the Ox start to work his way into the action- maybe sit gervinho and have Ramsey/ Rosicky cover left with theo shifting up. Is that nuts?
Ha! Perfectly times comment Catalan- great
Minds thinking alike!
Of course, Chamakh is the muppetiest player we got. Cept maybe Asharvin!
Little F’ing Russian! We gotta Little F’ing Russian!
well, that was a tasty baby. king robin in command of his kingdom, what a strike! all bow, and to baron von song for the Lofted Cross of Perfection (we’ve only got von Song…).
CG – Did you hear what Keown said on the BBC?
“I can’t help thinking Thierry might just come back and play some sort of cameo role alongside Robin van Persie…”
I’m hearing they can’t get the ball off Henry in training because he’s that good.”
And as for Woj – He is awesome. He’s doing what every Arsenal fan would want to do right now! Kiss RvP’s left boot!
https://p.twimg.com/AgUb4nhCMAAkJyl.jpg
Snir, nice! Thierry on this team, with Jack back- now that is a tantalizing thought!
PiK – welcome back mate!!
Whisper it very quietly but Woj has 6 clean sheets this season. Second only to Vorm of Swansea who has 7.
Thanks Snir. Woj is the real deal, no doubt. Good to be a Gooner, mate.
I just need to say that I am happy. Thank you Arsenal.
Eh, any good links to the TiTi statue? Still haven’t gotten a good look!
PiK – The Henry unveiling is free on Arsenal player.
http://rutube.ru/tracks/5095671.html
Arsenal legends on the pitch.
A much better picture of Woj’s awesomeness…
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lw00vbDWMw1qfbvr3o1_400.jpg
I feel sorry for Chamakh, at the Armoury today, everyone was making fun of his signed shirt in the form of ‘haha, nobody wants it!’
Pretty brutal, I wish that he comes good for us after the ACoN or even before, still one of the players that I like.
A very anniversarial 1-0 to the Arsenal. We made heavier weather of it than might have been necessary but it was one of those games that in the last couple of seasons we would have drawn or lost. Grinding out the victory is a sign of how much better this team has become. Thought both Song and Kos had outstanding games. Mertesacker brings so much calm to the defence. Comparing the composure of the back four today to last Tuesday in Greece shows what a difference he makes even though he seems unobtrusive. And he is so good at getting attacks going. A couple of those loping paces then a 15 meter ball forward and suddenly we are in their half again. Vermaelen looked a more than competent left back, as did Miquel. Haven’t seen RvP play with such two chocolate feet in many a day, but then he comes up with a moment of true super quality for the goal, not just the volley, which was of the highest skill, but the run and the shot choice, too.
Well in at 300, Wind. Glad to see the migraine cleared but probably a good job you didn’t have to head it in.
Hey guys, do any of you know who the guy in the middle of the screen in Snir’s link at 01:16 minutes/seconds?
I sat behind him in the Clock End in the Carling Cup 4th Round against Bolton with my mate, top bloke he is π
SG@370: Great pix. Szcz is beyond a legend.
Sg, thanks, great pics…! And I would love to have Titi back for the runin, have watched some redbulls and he takes up much less of the focus than he used. Have him spell Gervs, or King Robin, or play two with King Robin in God’s role…
And wouldn’t that make a great statue for the 150th anniversary?
Haha NBN @ 372, thanks lol, if I did have to I would probably conked out unconcsious after the ball’s in the net π
Long term, a Chavs-Citeh draw on Monday would suit us best, even though we’d drop to fifth short term.
This’ll be the other statue released at the 150th!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfce2CohGA4&feature=related
Yeah NBN, that puts up 10 points behind Citeh, a surmountable distance that with luck and skill, could be closed down in a month or less π
It will be worth it in the end π
Ollie – I know the demand for the programmes was outrageous… Did you get a chance to get me one (secretly knowing Ollie wouldn’t let down a fellow HT member !) ? :hoping face:
Wind @ 371 You, me, and Holic haven’t given up on him. He’s trying, you can see the effort and concentration. More playing time is the answer for him.
@SG thanks so much for the link to the pre-match video today…really enjoyed that.
I can’t help but think how powerful it could have been if the fans would have started signing “by far the greatest team…” after Titi’s speech… Right after the honoring of all the legends.
Reminding everybody who we are.
That would have been something.
abb, that warms my heart to know that, on his day, he was a match-winner (vs Wolves in ’09 away, good times) and he still can be.
Maybe his selfless great lay-off for Benayoun to smash in that volley is Chamakh re-inventing himself?
We can only hope.
Cognac, a belayed thank you to you for the witty praise @ 303, so witty I never got it at first glance (Euphoria and Migraines, not a good combo lol)
I might be the eternal optimist re: Chamakh…but a certain Alex Song had seen his stock dip just as low at one early point if you think back. Let’s not give up on the guy yet….I’d love to see him still come good – we all benefit if he does.
on whether Henry could sign…
At the moment he goes back on the 15th of January to a training camp. I donβt know where.
There is something cheeky about that response…
Snir @ 384 We can take great pride in knowing that we instill fear in our opponents, both in the PL and CL. Probably every team is secretly hoping they don’t draw us in the next round. I can hear them now, ‘Please, god, not Arsenal’.
Tim. I loved the guys as well. But we have an opportunity to bring in a proven goal scorer in Podolski. And by proven I mean in every level.
Chamakh is all right, but he’s not Podolski.
And don’t compare between Chamakh and Song. Song was horrible in 07 when he was 20 years old.
Chamakh is 27. That’s a huge difference.
Oh of course Abb but just think of the scene that right after all the legends are introduced, and Titi’s speech the crowd starts signing “we’re by far the greatest team, the world has ever seen…”
That woulda been amazing.
Snir, now that I think about it…
It would of been amazing π
Ahoy hoy…
Is it not oh so good to be a Gooner?!!
BMBD!
Lonestar, BMBD β
Wind- Barca must be destroyed.
I love Lonestar Gooner.
Missed ya buddy…
Takes the ball in midfield, passes to Wind…
A quick match report, just got back and have to scrub up to go out again π
Arsenal soon got into their stride in the first half, and a hatful of missed chances and half chances followed. Can’t particularly remember an Everton attack that forced a save. It got a bit stop start with several offsides, but should have been 2 or 3 up at half time. Crowd were very vocal.
Everton started better in the second half. and was having a good period, until a moment of complete brilliance from Robin Van Persie made the difference between the two sides. A decent ball OTT from Song, half floated, half chipped, RvP just dashed onto it and took it on the volley, smacked it into the bottom corner, goalie just stood there watching. A goal of the season candidate.
Not much else to mention on Evertons contribution. Coleman put in a decent shift, and a 19 yr old youngster (called Mac*something*) making his debut for the last 10 mins or so caught the eye.
I agree that, while very unlikely given Arsene’s record, bringing in a striker in January would provide the support and cover we may need- RVP is out of this world, but we NEED someone else to be putting them away as well. This is not to say I wouldn’t love to see Chamakh return to form, but we simply can’t just cross our fingers. Plus another worldclass scorer and maybe RVP signs for life…
Bursts forward from Oliva’s pass, pushes out to the left wing for a cross into the box…
pik with a cheeky off the ball trip of Wind’s marker, he’s off free down the line…
(Nasri may be a douche bag, but they way he got Barton… take a bow, son.)
Receives the return pass, crosses into the box.
Who wants it! π
Snir @ 390 We all agree. The only worry I have is about TV. If indeed he had double vision, he might have suffered a concussion. Hope I’m wrong. So TV, we send you our ‘feel better in a hurry wishes!’ BTW Snir, any predictions on the el clasico?
Nod’s it on…
Oh Guys, come on…
I was trying to assist… 8)
Well, I guess WIND wants it!!! π
BT8B jumps out the HT window diving for the header…
…but it had already gone in! Well up for the double wind π
Thanks for the assist PiK, maybe this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership… π
BT8B spreads his wings and flys around the stadium in sheer X-tasy!
@406 π Read the name, it’s what I was made for!
Thanks Mark π First time for everything lol
PiK, I’m laughing so hard @ 404, my migraine is re-occuring π π π
With a clear Wind we are both seeing double today – but I will sober up in the morning (if Im lucky)
There were some desperate late nights this summer when Zico, BT8B and I passed it around till, out of the blue, Ol’ Holic showed up to nod home for a 500th drink! Still got it in you, Mr. Holic!
Aha @ 308, the name, I should have seen that coming π
TV will be fine… It’s just an elbow to the head… He’s got 8 days to recover…It’s only blurred vision.. Not even a concussion.
Predictions on the Clasico?
Barca to dive for 90 minutes. Cesc to jinx them. Oh my I wanna see them suffer.
BMBD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good to see Pires and Lehman out there today- true Gunner hearts.
Thanks Snir for 394, I think BWBD over 2 legs or even in the final this season, the mighty Arsenal are more of a team this season than of last, and we have hardly played with one of the main cogs, LJW.
A sign of excellent things to come me thinks… π
Also, thanks Cognac for 410, I’m more on the ball at this time in locating the wit, although with the attentions I think your personal bar garnered from you today, I don’t think the same can be said for you π
Snir, that one is tough. I love Cesc and I really despise Morinho. Plus Real’s Franco history never leaves my mind… but Barca have been obscenely obnoxious this generation. A must watch game in my world, but I really can’t stand to see either of them win at this point.
With that said, some of the Classicos last season were top drawer football matches… sigh. Fuck ’em both.
Catalan, where do you sit with this tomorrow?
Wind @ 409 Here’s hoping you feel better too. Now it’s time for me to watch Barca and RM slug it out. See Pep and the ‘Annointed One’ play a game of chess. You know AW will be taking notes. Cheers all!
Heh! PiK
Just settling down with everyone to watch it now.
The Catalans are a lot less confident than normal…
re January signing. My money’s on Kalou. Not who I want, but probably more likely to sign knowing that he’ll be back-up than Podolski.
More of a goal threat than this year’s Chamakh.
Notice in Wenger’s quote that he mentioned the Ox and AA as cover…. not Park. WTF??
He did mention Park CG.
Kalou would make a lot of sense to me. AW has never hidden his admiration for Kalou.
PiK – Sorry, but I hate Barca more.
I don’t like Real that much, but they (Real as a club) didn’t disrespect Arsenal.
Barca on the other hand… Disrespected The Arsenal from kit man to Chairman.
Apparently on Irish TV, Liam Brady has announced that a centre forward will be signed by Arsenal in January.
Looking at the table http://guardian.touch-line.com/ and trying to work out the best result for Arsenal in the Chavski vs Shitteh match on monday.Do we want to be unambitious and consolidate 4th place with a city win ?A draw and the Chavs will go ahead of us on goal difference and Shitteh will go 10 points in front of us.Or cheer on the Chav’s and sacrifice 4th place but limit Shitteh’s points difference on us.
I think there is nothing wrong with unspoken ambition and I find AVB quite likeable so come on you blues(they are at home)
Kalou is much more likely, and no prem transition needed. Yet, I don’t think he really brings any unique angle to us, though he’s quality. I’d rather see a Gomis-type forward, but Podolski would be the best man for man Asharvin replacement I guess.
Snir
You know where I am on the barca vs Madrid debate. Don’t think real haven’t done the same to us – I think the Viera and Reyes debacles were before you switched your affections to the Arsenal? Apologies if I’m wrong.
In a nutshell, they were just as big a bunch of cunts. It’s a Spanish thing!! π
CG – It wasn’t before.
If you would have paid attention to my story last week you would have remembered that I started following The Arsenal in 95 when DB joined π
The Vieira and Reyes sagas were debacles no doubt, and so was Titi to Barca but the Cesc one beats everyone.
Plus – My dad has affections for Real from his father so I don’t hate them.
Plus 2 – I will forever hate Barca for that night in Paris. Forever.
Sorry Ollie – it should be “had you paid attention” π
Sorry Snir… it’s possible that I was drinking when I read your story! π
Must do better….must pay attention! π
Anyway; it doesn’t really matter. ’tis just a mild diversion from the important stuff!
NB… I would like to make it clear that I am NOT supporting Barca, just in this game I support Real less! Hope that make sense?!
It makes perfect sense cause that is exactly what’s going on with me, just the other way around.
I hate Real less (sorry, couldn’t put support and Barca in the same sentence).
Cesc can’t stop scoring with his head since he moved to that filthy place.
Unbelievable.
Dani Alves delivers some delicious crosses.
3-1, looks like its over. Oh well. I can’t stand them, I simply can’t. And to top it all off, Cesc scores. Looks like the refs favour Barca more than United in England. Messi escaped a second yellow…
Still flying, pik. π
Great win on the 125th btw, didn’t get a chance to post here earlier! Van Persie…what else can be said about him?! Gerv seriously needs to find his scoring boots though… MiQuel (even the commentators keep going on about MiGuel for Christ’s sake!) looks like a real prospect too, I really like the way he plays. I know he played only 15 mins or so today, but still… Overall, a great win!
Snir
Let me but you a drink! π
I need a lot of them CG.
One of the biggest reasons I hate them is the Johnny come lately fans they have in Israel.
I can’t go on my FB cause everybody’s status are Visca Barca and all that shite acting as if they were fans before Messi. Girls and guys that have never watched football are suddenly “in love with Messi.”
I just despise them, like really hate, my inner stomach is filled with rage everytime I see them, especially when I see them happy.
So we’ve allowed 23 goals in 15 matches. Not that shabby after you consider that 12 of those 23 came in two early season matches before TV returned from injury and before BFG had settled into the team.
Israeli girls in love with Messi, Snir? I wouldn’t object if they look like this:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mmBw3uzPnJI/S9bX1azWWaI/AAAAAAABMqk/9jkIDnFgEcE/s1600/girls_from_israel_15.jpg
π π
Are you serious ?!? She’s rather average by Israeli standards.
Let’s stop talking about the Classico, it annoys me too much.
Man, Theo is coming on in leaps and bounds this season!
Had a great game today, was unlucky not to score π
Snir, I’m getting the feeling that you are a very complex individual… π
Nothing a Wolfie paddling can’t sort out.
It’s my complexity which is charming π
I’m utterly shocked.
MOTD praised us for the clean sheet with 4 CBs, the Song ball, AW(!!!), the players and everybody at Arsenal for turning things around.
Something’s definitely wrong.
500 could be there for the taking, you late niters. I have a feeling Holic is either asleep on a train in Wales, or otherwise incapacitated and the next post could be “momentarily delayed for technical reasons beyond our control.”
Just sober enough to have woken up and seen MOTD
Great goal Robin but have to question the finishing ability of the others
Snr – surely the bigger turnround is by those so-called experts on MOTD – mind you they didnt admit that they had got it wrong in writing us off (can I eat a bit of humble pie here)
Barcelona are one of the best teams there’s been (no I don’t really care about gamesmanship or how sneaky they are off the pitch, doubtless if the internet had been around in 1970 people on there would have been finding reasons to hate Brazil) and have made Man Utd look like mugs in two European Cup finals. Real are managed by a grade A pillock. As such, hooray for Barca tonight!
And good win today for us of course. Cameroon not qualifying for the ACN will hopefully help us somewhat with Song’s good form.
Charlie – The reasons I hate Barca has nothing to do with the internet.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8948457/Arsenal-legend-Liam-Brady-shapes-the-clubs-future-on-old-ideals.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8948259/Arsenals-lifelong-servant-Ken-Friar-strengthens-clubs-bond-with-the-past.html
Excellent links, Snir.
One toast for Liam Brady.
Another toast for Ken Friar.
Up the Arse in the name of great heroes like them.
Just got home. Incredibly inbrebr… benibrya… iheb… drunk as fuck. Have not read any previous drinks yet, but will soon if I don’t fall aslepp from bein so feggin dronk. Whoopsedaisee, there’s only oooooone Dennis Bergkamp!
Will now start to back-drink unitil I fall aslepp. Which, I guessss, will be inabout five minutes… COME ON ARSENAL!
Nighty night, Lars…
G’night Lars. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>